SHAFT REVIEW! – Matrix Q3 Red Tie

WHAT TIE DO YOU WEAR? MATRIX GIVEAWAY! DETAILS BELOW!

Everyone knows that white tie is fancier than black tie, but where does red tie fit in? While I’m going to have to call in our Apparel Editor, Golfspy Zinger, for the fashion ruling, I do know where the Red Tie fits in the Matrix Flight System: right in the middle.

If you read my review of the White Tie X3 (and if you didn’t, go rectify that mistake now), you know the Matrix has brought out a simplified fitting system for 2013: the Matrix Flight System with high, medium, and low launching shafts. Today we look at the final piece of that family of three, the Q3 Red Tie.

Specs, Price, and Manufacturer Notes

The Q3 Red Tie fits in the middle of the Matrix Flight System, between the low-launching M3 Black Tie and the high-launching X3 White Tie.

The Q3 is available in weights ranging from 50 grams to 88 grams, and flexes from Ladies flex to XX.

The Q3 has an MSRP of $375

Looks, Feel, and Miscellaneous

The release of the Q3 Red Tie has taught me one thing: complain long enough and loud enough and eventually you will get what you want. In every Matrix review I’ve written, I’ve whined about Matrix abandoning their signature cherry red, and now it’s back! I win! Really, we all win, because the cherry red Matrix is simply one of the best looking shafts around. The logo on the shaft is fairly minimal and can be turned down and hidden at address. The rain graphics stop above the logo, so those who like really clean looks should be thrilled.

Moving on to feel, I was very pleasantly surprised by how stable the Q3 felt. I assumed that the Q3 would fall directly between the very stable M3 and the tip soft X3, but, in fact, the Q3 leans heavily towards the M3. My best one line description of the Q3 would be: M3 with a softer butt section. There’s a definite kick, but it’s higher (closer to the grip) than I expected, which I really like.

Testing was done at Golf Nation in Palatine, IL, one of the best indoor golf facilities in the country.

*NOTE: Testing has moved back inside for the winter, and our FlightScope seems to be producing somewhat different numbers indoors compared to outdoors. To greater or lesser extents, ball speed, club head speed, and spin are all coming in lower than they did outdoors, hence the carry number is smaller. That said, it’s still an apples-to-apples comparison, so no attempt has been made to “normalize” the numbers: we’re publishing the numbers straight off the FlightScope, as always.

DATA

ANALYSIS

The 7Q3 was a bit longer for me in both flexes, largely due to lower spin and a slight increase in ball speed. That said, the 6Q3 in X-flex was the most accurate, posting both the best dispersion number and the best offline number. The distance was a bit shorter than the others due to hitting some higher-spinning fades and pushes.

Overall, I was pleased with the balanced dispersion of all of the Q3 shafts. The vast majority of my shots started on really good lines and didn’t stray too much.

Conclusion

As I’ve said before, I love the fact that Matrix has simplified their offerings and fitting system for 2013. While I still think that it’s critically important to be custom fit by a qualified fitter, this system goes a long way towards helping the consumer understand his options. I also like that each of these three products has a very unique feel and ball flight. With the X3, Q3, and M3, most players will be able to find something they like in the Matrix family.

CONTEST!

Pick your tie!

Check out our reviews of the Black Tie, White Tie, and Red Tie, and check the Matrix website to see what shaft you would like to try (be specific: model, weight, and flex). Then post a comment below telling us the specs of the shaft you want and why. At the end of the week, we will randomly select a winner who will receive the shaft of their choice.

Bonus entry:

Re-Tweet the following for a second entry in the drawing (the retweet button is the one with two arrows forming a square):

I just purchased a new Tour Edge Exotic XCG6 Driver with a Graphite Design AD 40 Stiff shaft, the only other stock shaft choice was the Matrix Ozik HD 6.1. (I should’ve opted for the Matrix.) After taking it out to driving range, I realized that the AD 40 was too whippy and the driver head at impact was distorting the shaft tip (5.0 torque). I remembered having the same problem with two other drivers I purchased which required me to change the stock shafts to Graphite Design (GD) shafts such as the YSQst 65 Stiff in my R11 (3.7 Torque).
The bottom line is that you need to get fitted or know the shaft characteristics that best fit your swing type: physical strength, swing speed and tempo. After reviewing many shaft makers, I narrowed it down to GD (previous experience) and UST VTS 65 or AxivCore Tour Black 69 (using Torque as a factor on performance) based on their advances in technology but either choice would be a compromise.
I decided to look at Matrix since it was OEM on my new TEE XCG6 Driver but the Torque on the Ozik Hd 6.1 wasn’t low enough to minimize the tip distortion (need < 3.2). After reviewing and studying the technology forward company, the Matrix Red Tie 6Q3 Stiff shaft would complement my swing type best with no compromise. It's challenging enough to play golf and getting the proper shaft fitting for your driver, woods and hybrids will definitely improve your game & score and I hope that the Matrix Shafts will fulfill my needs. I'd like to try the Red Tie 6Q3 Stiff flex for my new driver. Thanks.

I like that cherry red color in your photos. It looks better than the photos on the company’s website.
I like the Red Tie description of being fairly tip firm (like the Black Tie), but with a softer butt for better feel for those of us who don’t swing like tour pros, but don’t need the higher trajectory of the White Tie either.
Plus, with a swing speed around 90-95 mph, I’ve often been in a swingspeed range somewhere between R and S (depending on shaft model), so I like that Matrix has a flex (Firm) that supposedly fills in that gap.

I would love to try the Matrix 6Q3 Red Tie in the Firm flex.
Thanks, MGS, for running this contest along with Matrix shafts.

Would love to play the 5X3 in Firm flex in my R1. The combination of the higher launching White Tie in what is for me the lower spinning R1 head could achieve some great carry numbers with my “tweener” swing speed!!

Matrix Ozik Black Tie 7M3 X-stiff.
I fight high spin with my driver, but the current setup of my Adams Fast 12LS 8.5 with an AXE Tour TS is getting me close. I think the 7M3 X-stiff could get me right where I need to be. Plus, I’m thinking of getting the driver painted matte black, so I think that would be a sweet looking combo!

I would love to play the 6X3 White Tie Strong Flex in my new Ryoma driver. The 6M3 in my R11 would hit knuckle balls with the new head. Plus, I loved the kick in those white mules when I tried them last time! Thank you for a great opportunity Matrix and MyGolfSpy!

I believe the White tie R flex would help both raise my too-low trajectory and also give me a little more pop as I have lost some clubhed speed. I believe it matches very well with the R1 driver as well as some non-OEM heads I normally use.

The 7X3 White-Tie in a firm flex is what I’ve been eyeballing lately. Enough weight to keep the spin down and the swing on plane, but a slightly softer tip to make it easy to square up with enough launch to really get some good carry in the warm spring/summer air.

Well I have the XP300 Stiff in my irons and the 6X3 stiff would be a wicked addition to my G20 3 wood. Long and high with minimal dispersion. Just what the doctor ordered with the 6X3 low kick point. It will match my launch angle of my irons!!

I have an Adams Super LS 19* hybrid but I don’t care for the stock shaft. I loved the Ozik Altus hybrid shafts I’ve previously played, expect at times when it seemed to not handle a quick transition.

Eventhough the Matrix website indicated the shaft was just for woods, I would love to try a 8X3 White Tie in my hybrid (either Stiff or Strong flex. If I win I would like to get fit.) It’s about the same weight as the stock shaft and this new hybrid model is more like a fairway wood than previous designs.

I had a chance to demo this shaft in a Covert at a Nike demo and loved it. I would love to put this in my VRS (2012). I wasn’t paying too much attention to numbers, but the flight was good. I was able to hit it high, low, and move it left and right. Loved it.

Oh, and the reason is I’ve never tried a Matrix shaft and never tried a ‘high launch-low spin’ shaft before. I’ve always went with a lower launch lower spin, so i’d be curious to see how it would change my driving.

First of all, the shaft looks great with the MyGolfSpy script on it. I’m interested, did Matrix do that for you guys, or did you add that later (sticker or something?)

For me, it would be the Red Tie 6Q3 Stiff. I’m looking for a reduction in spin, and a slightly lower flight trajectory than the stock shaft I have in my Amp driver. I think that the slightly heavier, stiffer 6Q3 could be a really good option.

I think there’s a chance I may find some added distance with this shaft. It seems like I’ll have a good balance in reduced spin but a little higher trajectory instead of going with all these shafts that super low spin but I lose distance from not launching high enough.

My current driver shaft feels too whippy for me, even though it’s a stiff, and I think it’s because it’s a shaft with quite an active tip section. I’d like to try the M3, but I don’t like the feel of boardy shafts, and I’ve read that the M3 series might feel boardy to many. Hopefully the Q3 will feel good and perform well!

I currently struggle with my fairway woods dispersion. I am a high spin high swing speed player and seeing as how my fairway wood is the only club in my bag without an upgrade shaft in it, I would live to out this in use as it would give me the performance that I’m seeking. I would like bring this club into use more often and this high performance shaft would be the key to doing that and should give me the confidence to hit it in any situation.

Matrix 7q3 x-stiff. I currently use the 6 m3 and 7m3 and would like a little higher launch. Also I’ve always loved the red shafts in the past like yourself and this one is drop dead gourgeous. Thanks for the chance

I like to try the White Tie shaft. Right now I play a Adilia 65g stiff shaft and im seeing a mid to sometimes low ball flight on it. I think that with the white shaft itll help produce the extra yards I would like to gain. Not to mention itll look pretty sweet with a R1 head and white grip

would have to be red tie for me. I have tried the black and it is simply way too stout, even in a standard “s”flex. My favorite Matrix offering was Ozik X-Con which I gamed as a 6x in multiple heads. A few years down the road and I’m guessing 7Q3 Red Stiff is the ticket.

I have a Titleist 910 D3 lowered to 8.75 loft head with a Proforce V2 76g X golf shaft and the spin rate is still to much and the ball launches too high. If I miss hit and fade the ball I lose a significant amount of distance. I’m a college student that just finished up my 2 years of eligibility for junior college, and cannot afford a Matrix shaft out of my own pocket.

I’m generally a high spin player so anything that can help cut spin would be a huge benefit. I’m also usually inbetween stiff and x-stiff so I’d really like to try the strong flex shaft. I currently have an Oban Kiyoshi 65 04 flex and I really want to see how this stacks up.

Besides the fact of how attractive the Matrix cherry red shaft is, I am looking to slightly reduce my ball flight off the tee. Currently the trajectory of my ball is very similar to the white shafts. A lower trajectory should help me increase my distance on windier days by keeping my ball lower.